The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Fellow Travellers
Renae at the temples in the village of Abu Simbel, Egypt. Photographer: Denese Evans.
Anissa Renae Kunda
Anissa Renae Kunda (“but everyone calls me Renae”) was 17 when she took her first solo trip. “I needed a note from my mum just to board the ‘Fairstar’ (a cruise ship) on my own. I’d been working since I was 15 to save up for it, and I remember it being so much fun. But as the years passed, the details faded. What stayed with me, though, was the pride in knowing I was brave enough to do it, and that I had done it.”
“Life has a way of pulling you in different directions, doesn’t it? When I was young, I didn’t have the money. Then I fell in love and didn’t want to be apart. We started a business, and I was too busy working hard to get established. Then the kids came along, and my focus shifted to showing them the world. I became the gatekeeper and creator of everyone else’s dreams. Isn’t that what so many women go through?”
“It took years to realise that I’d been putting myself last, and even longer to make the changes. My second solo trip came at 54, and it was a revelation. Isn’t it funny how we spend so much time with others that we start to fear being alone? We forget how beautiful it can be. That trip to Egypt, standing before the pyramids, was a lifetime in the making and a ‘Bucket List’ dream finally fulfilled.”
Left: On the Giza Plateau with the Sphinx and Pyramid; and a felucca – a traditional, wind-powered wooden sailboat – on the Nile River, the longest river in the world.
The temples at Abu Simbel.
Our Egyptologist, Ahmed Helal.
What kind of research did you do before your first trip?
Not much! For my first trip, I simply checked in with a friend who was a travel agent and went with whatever she suggested. It was easy and carefree. My second trip, however, was a completely different story. By then, the Internet had opened up a whole new world of possibilities, and I dove in headfirst. I researched everything – every landmark, every experience, and every hidden gem. I read reviews, pored over photos, and meticulously narrowed down my plans to include everything I’d ever dreamt of seeing. I even created spreadsheets to cross-check every detail. Honestly, I think I was milking the planning process just to spend more time in my dreamland. But hey, I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so it felt like part of the adventure!
The Valley of the Kings is an ancient royal burial ground on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, Egypt, is famous for the discovery of the untouched tomb of Tutankhamun and features elaborate, often painted, tombs decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology.
Inside a tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
What do you love the most about travelling solo?
The freedom is everything! I love being able to go wherever I want, whenever I want, and changing plans on a whim if the mood strikes. I can eat at the places that excite me, linger at spots that captivate me, and never have to worry about whether a travel companion is enjoying themselves or if they’d prefer to do something else.
As someone who’s naturally a self-sacrificer and people pleaser, solo travel has been a gift, it’s a chance to focus entirely on what makes me happy. It’s also a beautiful reminder that I genuinely enjoy my own company. And when I take the time to nurture myself, I find it makes me a better, more grounded person in the end.
Left: Al-Mu'izz Street, Cairo; and exploring the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar in the centre of Cairo.
What lessons have you learned about life by travelling solo?
Only pack what you can carry, in every sense of those words. I was chatting with someone recently who shared a fascinating perspective on life’s challenges. They described life’s little traumas as small rocks placed in the backpack you carry, while the bigger traumas are like heavy boulders weighing you down. The key, they said, is finding something that grinds those boulders down into powder –something that makes them lighter, easier to carry, and less overwhelming. It really stuck with me. Whether it’s your physical luggage or the emotional weight you carry, the lesson is the same – lighten the load, find ways to process and let go, and make room for the things that truly matter.
“Whether it’s your physical luggage or the emotional weight you carry, the lesson is the same – lighten the load, find ways to process and let go, and make room for the things that truly matter.”
Is there a destination you keep returning to, and why?
As a born-and-bred Queenslander, living in paradise means I already have a place I return to, home. There’s something special about coming back to the golden beaches, lush rainforests, and warm, familiar vibes of Queensland. It’s my grounding point, my slice of heaven, and I don’t feel the need to spend my travel dollars on visiting the same place twice when I already live in such a beautiful part of the world.
For me, travel is about exploring the unknown and diving into the endless wonders this planet has to offer. Every destination has its own unique magic, and I want to experience as much of it as I can. Whether it’s a bustling city, a remote village, or a natural wonder, I’m all about soaking it in fully the first time and then moving on to the next adventure. There’s just too much world out there to see to keep going back to the same place!
My balloon flight over Luxor.
Did you make friends while travelling solo that remain in your life?
Absolutely! One of the unexpected joys of solo travel is the incredible people you meet along the way. On my first cruise, I connected with a couple of fellow travellers who, as fate would have it, ended up living in the same town as me. Now, we catch up every week or so, and it’s amazing to think that a chance meeting on a trip turned into such a lasting friendship.
Then there’s the lovely couple I met on my Egypt trip – Denese and Tony. We bonded over our shared awe of the pyramids and the magic of exploring such an iconic destination. While we don’t live close to each other, the beauty of social media has kept us connected. It’s wonderful to see their updates, share memories, and stay in touch despite the distance.
Travel has this way of bringing people together in the most unexpected and meaningful ways. Whether it’s a lifelong friendship or just a brief but impactful connection, the people you meet on the road often become just as memorable as the places you visit.
Renae with Denese and Tony on the Giza Plateau. Photographer: Ahmed Bezier.
Who inspires you in travel or in your life more generally?
It’s not just one person or thing that inspires me – it’s more of a feeling, a spark that comes from seeing people chase their dreams and achieve their goals. There’s something so magnetic about watching someone pour their heart and soul into something they’re passionate about, overcoming obstacles, and turning their vision into reality. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when determination meets action. I’m drawn to that energy, that drive to create and accomplish. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone building a business from the ground up, an artist bringing their imagination to life, or a traveller ticking off their bucket list one destination at a time. It’s the courage to dream big and the grit to make it happen that truly inspires me.
Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River.
What is on your ‘Bucket List’?
South Africa has been calling my name for years. Back when I was at university, I was supposed to join a study group at the Lion Preserve in Kruger National Park, but life had other plans, and that dream trip never happened. To this day, it feels like unfinished business, a chapter I need to write for myself. There’s something so captivating about the idea of standing in the heart of the Savannah, watching lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo in their natural habitat. For me, South Africa represents adventure … and a dream that’s been waiting patiently in the wings.
What causes are you passionate about, and why?
I’m deeply passionate about women’s causes, especially helping women rediscover themselves. I’ve seen so many women who seem to settle in life, not because they want to, but because they’ve spent years pouring everything they have into others. They’ve built their husbands’ businesses, raised children, created homes, and filled everyone else’s cups, often at the expense of their own. Somewhere along the way, it’s like they’ve faded, losing touch with who they are and what makes them happy.
I know that feeling because I’ve been there too. It’s easy to get caught up in being everything for everyone else and forget to check in with yourself. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping women find their spark again – not in an all-out feminist, rallying cry kind of way, but in a gentler, more personal way. A ‘Do you remember who you are?’ kind of way. It’s about encouraging women to take a moment for themselves, to reconnect with their dreams, and to realise that it’s never too late to put themselves back on the priority list. Because when women rediscover their happiness, it doesn’t just change their lives, it ripples out to everyone around them.
“Because when women rediscover their happiness, it doesn’t just change their lives, it ripples out to everyone around them.”
Can you share your top 3 tips for solo traveller success?
1. Don’t criticise the one doing the work. It’s easy to stand on the sidelines and point out flaws, but the real growth happens when you support and encourage those who are putting in the effort. Constructive feedback is valuable, but criticism without action or understanding only holds people back.
2. Help others when you can. Success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself—it’s about lifting others up along the way. Whether it’s offering a helping hand, sharing knowledge, or simply being there to listen, the impact you have on others often becomes the most rewarding part of your journey.
3. Stay true to yourself. In a world full of noise and expectations, staying authentic is your greatest strength. Know your values, trust your instincts, and don’t lose sight of who you are, no matter where life takes you. Success feels so much sweeter when it’s built on a foundation of authenticity.
“These aren’t just tips – they’re guiding principles that have shaped my path and continue to remind me of what truly matters.”